After the Xfinity series Nashville Race, Riley Herbst said, “I just felt it getting it hotter and hotter and hotter and hotter.” Before the race, his cooling system malfunctioned. It was truly a challenge for the racer trapped in the scorching car.

The drivers in the car drive for more than an hour, going at high speeds. That car becomes a hot box. However, to tackle this, they have a cooling mechanism in their suits. Stewart-Haas Racing has taken it to Instagram to show how it works.

Do you know about the fire suits in NASCAR?

It all started in July 1964, when Paul Goldsmith introduced NASCAR to a revolutionary cooling technology. Inspired by astronaut suits, the ‘cool suit’ was designed to combat the intense heat experienced by drivers. Race cars generate substantial heat from burning fuel and have limited airflow because of their low ground clearance. This causes the temperature inside the car to heat up. Goldsmith’s innovation aimed to alleviate this discomfort. These are the suits that racers wear to keep their bodies cool.

If you see a driver heading to the pits with a couple of tubes trailing behind, they’re likely wearing a ‘cool suit’. This specialized garment, often a shirt or vest, is embedded with tiny tubes, like veins that circulate cold water. The water absorbs the driver’s body heat and is then cooled again. The cooling system uses a refrigeration box, which pumps water inside the veins in the suit. To regulate their temperature, especially during long races with changing conditions, drivers can adjust the cooling level with a control button. This mechanism was recently brought to light by Stewart-Haas Racing. They posted a video on Instagram showcasing how the suit works.

Cool suits aren’t the only things that keep them cool in the heat. Managing a driver’s body weight is crucial for combating the intense heat within a race car. To endure these extreme conditions, drivers must be exceptionally fit and undergo rigorous physical training. Another option that can provide additional cooling is that the driver’s seat has an opening in the back. A cooling tube can be inserted here to direct cool air onto the driver’s back. However, this method is not used often as it messes up with the aerodynamics of the car.

NASCAR racers wear a lot of gear, be it the Helmet, the fire suit, the HANS devices, gloves, boots and also fireproof underwear. NASCAR gear is what is paramount to the safety of the racers. Do you know about the mandatory fireproof underwear NASCAR racers wear?

NASCAR’s fireproof underwear and more

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It was last year that NASCAR mandated racers to wear fireproof underwear. This came as a safety regulation for the drivers. NASCAR mandated fire-resistant underwear and socks for all drivers. Previously, this protective gear was only recommended. This came after other racing leagues, like Formula One, already enforced strict checks for such undergarments. However, NASCAR hasn’t yet revealed its inspection process. These new rules aim to enhance driver safety in case of a fire, a critical aspect of the sport.

The fireproof undergarments weren’t the only safety upgrade last year. The Next-Gen car’s design was modified to improve its rear crumple zone. This enhancement aims to better absorb the impact of rear-end collisions, which have caused excessive force on drivers in several 2022 crashes. The current car’s rigid rear bumper structure has contributed to these issues. To show seriousness with driver safety. NASCAR covered the initial costs of the modifications.

The safety and comfort of drivers are of the utmost importance to both teams and NASCAR officials. What do you think about the gear of NASCAR racers? Do you find the cooling system cool?